Gracie’s Gone…

[Dean Romig]

How do I begin?….
Where do I start and when does this emptiness stop?

Gracie had been exhibiting signs that something may be not quite right back in September sometime. So I took her to the vet I’ve been using for well over twenty years… but they found nothing wrong and maybe a change of diet would help… but I hunted with her all through October and early November with only a couple of unusual episodes. I thought maybe for her age (9 years 5 mos.) I might be hunting her too hard, but my grouse and woodcock self-imposed season’s end was here and she could relax and take it easy.
In late December the episodes became more frequent and lasted hours like she was in pain but even more complex tgan just that.
So on Christmas Eve Day I rushed her to the emergency 24/7 vetrinary hospital where they ran indepth tests for 3+ hours and the diagnosis was the worst… she had late stage terminal spleen cancer that also involved almost half of her liver.
I brought her home with me and administered the pain med and the herbal oriental med to reduce the internal bleeding from the very vascular tumor. But she kept going downhill and even though she still thought she was a puppy and wanted to play and snoop around in the yard I knew I had a duty to perform and that was to bring her on her last ride in my truck to the vet to put her down… and on January 23, 2024 I did just that.

These pics were taken that morning - once in the yard while I was trying to get her to come and get in the truck (but she had found some mouse tunnels under the snow…
The other pic is at the vet just before the lethal injection. I truly didn’t deserve the trust in me she was giving at that moment.

Gracie helped me cope with the devastating loss of my dear Kathy by always being a distraction that I couldn’t ignore. She always wanted to play; to run; to give and receive affection; to need brushing and bathing and feeding and watering; to go for rides to explore new places and people and just have fun. She took Kathy’s place beside me on my bed and was there when I reached out in the dark to touch her and rumple her ear.
Gracie got me through those worst initial months.

My house is empty… just a big echo chamber now.
My memories don’t make a sound, but I do… :crying:



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[Chuck Bishop]

Very sad. Our thought are with you Dean.
Margaret & Chuck

[Reggie Bishop]

Heartbreaking............ I feel your pain. A small portion of it.

[Chris Pope]

That's a bloody heart breaker. I can only imagine that Gracie is already somewhere afield coursing the heavens for all kinds of upland flyers. Let's hope some day all of us lonely hunters might get but one chance to see our pups all working together.
RIP Gracie. And Gracie, please keep your eyes out for a Griff named "Gunny", and four Labs- "Roe", "Mac", "Josephine" and "Calvin". They would love to share with you some outstanding coverts up there! They'll be looking for you.
Dean, thoughts with you and family.

[Bill Davis]

Gracie lived the best of lives Dean! And that’s a tribute to you………so sorry for your loss…

[Daryl Corona]

My thoughts go out to you Dean. We do what we have to do out of love. I had to put Parker down after 14 good years on Nov 03, 2023. It has been tough but it was for the best. I'm looking forward to the next pup very soon. God bless my friend.

[Craig Larter]

So sorry Dean, it's a very difficult time.

[Greg Baehman]

We, as pet lovers, have all felt the pain you’re going through. You’ll find comfort by recalling many of the good times you and Gracie experienced as a team. Cherish them. Better days lie just over the horizon.

[Andrew Sacco]

Dean, heartfelt condolences to you at this tough time. I am deeply sorry.

[Jim DiSpagno]

Dean my heartfelt condolences my friend. No words can help at this time

[Stan Hoover]

I'm sorry to hear about this Dean, our thoughts are with you as you go through yet another tough loss.
Keep your head up there my friend!
Stan

[Dan Steingraber]

The price of a dog is a broken heart when we must say goodbye. God bless you Dean.

[CraigThompson]

Truely sorry for your loss my thoughts and prayers are with you .

[Bruce Hering]

Dean: So sorry for your loss. Its a hard row to hoe when a pup passes. My thoughts are with you.

[chris dawe]

Sorry to hear it Dean

[Jay Oliver]

So sorry for your loss Dean. I don’t know what to say other than I know this is tough and wish you the best during this difficult time. And be thankful of the time you two spent together.

[Ken Hill]

Dean,

Sorry to hear about Gracie and your loss.

Ken

[Joe Dreisch]

Dean, That is, perhaps, the hardest thing in life to do. I had to put Hap down last May and we have missed him every day since. Our prayers for you to find peace. Gracie's pain is no longer.

[Garry L Gordon]

Dean, I know something of the loss of a best friend and hunting buddy. It's so tough. If there is some good in this thing called life, it's that we get to love dogs...and be loved by them.

I'm so glad I got to meet Grace -- a beautiful dog and soul.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Dean, I am not looking forward to what you have been through, They take a piece of your heart with them, I truly feel your lose Remember the good times with her, and how she helped you get through Kathys death, Gary

[Rick Losey]

so so very sorry Dean

[Tom Brown]

My condolences Dean.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

so sorry Dean, my Fancy is the same age as Gracie, I remember them running around together at Ernies

[Daniel Carter]

So very sorry to hear this. Met her and Kathy at the first New Years shoot i went to and at Addieville.

[Tom Kidd]

Dean, Mom and I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Take Care, Tom

[Garth Gustafson]

I’m so sorry Dean. I wish you comfort in this time of grief. And when the grief subsides may you find peace in the memories of happier times.

[Christopher Cefalu]

My condolences Dean. Such a beautiful dog, very sorry for your loss.

[Angel Cruz]

My sympathies Dean. Stay strong my friend.

[Karl Ferguson]

So sorry to hear this Dean...all they ask of us is our love and care and knowing when to let them go. Take pride in the fact that you accomplished that for her.

[Donald F. Mills]

Truly sorry to hear this. You have my prayers during this time of grieving.

[Mike Poindexter]

Lost one of our goldens 3 years ago under similar circumstances. I think the Yunnan Baiyao bought him an extra month, but that's all. At the end all he wanted to do was lie out in the snow on the deck. Cold never phased him. Godspeed Gracie and we'll see you on the other side.

[James Brown]

Been there, done that. Get a puppy as soon as you can, maybe a pair. James

[Phillip Carr]

A few pictures in honor of Gracie.

[Marty Kohler]

All of us know that its the dog that we are hunting for and mostly living for…and as we age we watch them run, hunt and have fun with the enthusiasm we had in our younger years. I am so sorry to hear this Dean …their lives are so darn short. The pain will eventually be replaced by the wonderful memories of her puppy years and the worthwhile days afield you had together.

Hoping that replacement comes soon for you….

[Craig Larter]

I lost my Lucy last summer. She lives on in my new Mollie

[Phil Cloninger]

Dean, we were extremely sorry to hear about your loss, and I understand completely as I lost my best friend (also a Setter) a few years ago to similar circumstances.

You may not remember, but my wife and I met you. your wife and Gracie at the Southern last year. We had our Ryman Setter, Molly, with us that day.

One thing I will always remember...when we left that day, we saw you two sitting in lawn chairs at one of the shoots, behind the PGCA tent. Gracie was laying under both of your chairs. She was a very beautiful setter...and it was obvious a member of your family. She will live on in your hearts.....

[Mills Morrison]

So sorry to hear this news . . . .

[Dean Romig]

I remember you Phil and Thank You.



Dean, we were extremely sorry to hear about your loss, and I understand completely as I lost my best friend (also a Setter) a few years ago to similar circumstances.

You may not remember, but my wife and I met you. your wife and Gracie at the Southern last year. We had our Ryman Setter, Molly, with us that day.

One thing I will always remember...when we left that day, we saw you two sitting in lawn chairs at one of the shoots, behind the PGCA tent. Gracie was laying under both of your chairs. She was a very beautiful setter...and it was obvious a member of your family. She will live on in your hearts.....

[Bill Jolliff]

Dean, so sorry for your loss.

Something that many of us have done, and will do, and can share your grief. Never easy to do but hope your loving memories of Gracie will help the pain.

[Dean Romig]

I wish to express my sincere and heartfelt thanks for all of your expressions of condolence. Believe me they are greatly appreciated.

Today I opened my folder on my laptop titled "Grace the Setter" (not to be confused with another picture folder I have of "Grace my Mother") and I opened it up and slowly opened each and every one of the roughly 800 pictures I have saved for her entire life... It was a bit hard and I had to keep wiping my eyes because they kept welling up with tears. Kathy and I were so incredibly blessed by Gracie being in our lives. And she was blessed to have had us as her family for life.
From the day we went to coronation Kennels in Lowell, VT and picked her out and two weeks later when we picked her up and brought her home the pictures begin.

Everybody has, or has had, that one dog that stands so far out in front of all the others, and Gracie was our very special dog.

People often said to me years ago, "You haven't hunted until you hunt with a dog (that special dog)." Their words rang so true with each and every hunt with Gracie. NO she wasn't perfect - in fact she was far from it - but she loved it soo much and when we were out there she lived to hunt for me!

Thanks for indulging me.


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[Eric Eis]

It's never easy, I had to say good bye to Magic last year but I know he is in a better place both his and my ashes will be spread on a cover we both loved. My she rest in peace and my prayers to you Dean. Eric

[keavin nelson]

My condolences Dean, Gracie was such a sweet dog, loving of the life you provided for her. They go too soon, but are cherished while they are with us. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Phil Cloninger]

Our prayers are with you…

[Mike Koneski]

So sorry Dean. Our bird dogs are such a gift. The joy they give us can’t be measured. We all know the last day will come, sometimes sooner than later. Even knowing doesn’t make it any easier. It feels like a part of us is torn from our heart. We grieve for a while but remember all the hunts and special things our dogs did to endear themselves to us. Then after saying “I can’t go through this again.”, what do we do? Yup, we start that journey all over again. As Setter lovers, can we really fool ourselves into thinking we will not have a Setter by our side whether in the field or at home? Hang tough Dean, there’s a Setter pup with your name on it when you’re ready.

[Jim Kremmel]

So very sorry for your loss. She is in a better place waiting for you.

[Frank Cronin]

Dean. You and Gracie will always be connected. I know how special she was to you. Thinking of you during this difficult time my friend.

[Dean Romig]

Dean. You and Gracie will always be connected. I know how special she was to you. Thinking of you during this difficult time my friend.


Thanks Frank and thanks for your telephone call the other night.:bowdown:




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[Mike Poindexter]

Dean: I love the picture on the boat. What a treat!

[Zacharysmith]

Very sorry to hear Dean. I hope you can find some peace and smile about the good times.

[Dean Romig]

Dean: I love the picture on the boat. What a treat!


Grace loved boat rides and to sit right up in the bow with the wind in her face.





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[Joseph Sheerin]

Always the hardest part about dogs, we usually out live them.

[Timothy Salgado]

Dean,
We're very sorry for your loss and we have you in our prayers.
Take care
Tim

[Scott Janowski]

I’m so sorry.

[Bill Murphy]

Dean, at 78 years old, I have had 75 wonderful years with setters, with a pointer or two squeezed in. I even had setters when I was working for Uncle Sam, with my dad as custodian. You will survive this bump in the road and come out with another dog of your life. Press on, my friend.

[allen newell]

My condolences Dean for both your losses.

[Mike McKinney]

So sorry, Dean! Very tough duty!

[Mark Britton]

Dean I am so sorry ! I'm going to skip how I know and straight to what I do know. Jesus said in heaven the lion will lay down with the lamb. If there are lions and lambs in heaven , Surely there is room for a good dog ! RIP Gracie

[William Woods]

Mr. Dean,

I just read of the passing of your Gracie. I was unaware of the loss of your wife as well. My condolences on both losses. Only those of us that have these hunting partners know their value and meaning to us.